Why the TOEFL is More Important Than Just One Test, and How That Can Help You Succeed

Editor’s note: Shree is currently in the process of applying to study in the U.S. for the fall of 2013. He’s agreed to take us with him on that process, recapping each step as he accomplishes it, and filling us in on what he did right and wrong so we can learn from his mistakes. First up, the TOEFL.

I have always feared standardized tests. In fact, I fear all tests, from college exams to oral exams at the dentist. A fear of something-might-just-go-wrong always makes me nervous. So I was not looking forward to the standardized tests I was told by U.S. Education Foundation advisors would be crucial to my college applications. But, the TOEFL turned out to be different.

Alongside the SAT/ACT, the TOEFL is the standardized test required by most U.S. colleges. Unlike the SAT, however, which sort of measures the intellectual ability of students, the TOEFL is a check of basic skills – Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing (the four sections of the test) – the same things students do during their school years. In other words, you don’t need to be smart to score high on the TOEFL.

The TOEFL is strictly formatted in each and every section. For example, the writing section always contains an integrated task (writing an essay based on a given report and a lecture) and an independent task (a topic is given in which we are free to write).

Knowing the format and instructions beforehand helped me a lot during the test. Although they give you time to read the instructions for every section, I found that reading the instructions broke my focus, so I learned them ahead of time and skipped them during the test. Sometimes I would take deep breaths during that time to ease the pressure, because once the sections start they don’t pause.

Knowing the format isn’t everything though. I practiced. A lot. Over and over again. I found the Delta’s Key to the TOEFL Test book to be very useful, as it contained drills on individual question types, and I used the Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test book to work on basic skills like note-taking, summarizing and paraphrasing. The fun part about TOEFL, though, was that I didn’t need to actually *practice* to get practice. There were a lot of ways to fit TOEFL preparations into my normal, everyday life.Four ways I used normal activities to practice for the TOEFL:

1. Chatting with friends

For the speaking section, I used to simply chat with my friend in English, asking random questions and taking turns answering. We would listen closely to each other and then give each other possible improvements. We made it like a game; the first one to fail to answer would be the loser.

What I realized while preparing for the TOEFL is that it’s not just a test you have to get through. It’s actually a measure of whether you will be able to survive in a college where English is the priority language. Each of the four sections corresponds to something you’ll actually have to do; like reading through a textbook for an assignment, listening to a teacher to take notes for a project, speaking with your friends, or writing homework in a rush.

My point is, don’t think of the TOEFL as a test. Rather, regard it as a day in college. You’re not just studying to get a high score on this one exam – you’re preparing to take on the challenge of going to school full-time in English. The preparation will be worth it when you get through your first day of classes easily.

Of course, you do still need to pass the test. And all my work paid off when I got my score: 114.

8 Responses to “Why the TOEFL is More Important Than Just One Test, and How That Can Help You Succeed”

I totally agree with your approach to practicing for the TOEFL. The truth is that in my case, it was pretty much the same. I actually didn’t almost sit down to practice “formally”, but integrated tasks I knew would be on the test to my everyday use of English. As well as in your case, it paid off at the end.
Congrats on your first post!

It’s good to hear that you agree. I appreciate your support and I hope to keep posts like these coming on so I can keep up to your expectations even more. In fact, this is the first blog post I have ever written formally, and it feels so satisfying that I can share my views.

It was good to read about your journey. I gave the GRE a few days back and on the new scale, I scored a 322 (Verbal 154, Quant 168). I have been a little dissatisfied because I plan to apply for Graduate Journalism and I guess my Verbal score would matter in that case. I haven’t given TOEFL yet but I might register for it if the universities I plan to apply to don’t waive the requirement. Based on your experience, what do you think are my chances of getting in a really good university with some considerable amount of scholarship. I have a Bachelors in Information Technology from India and I have written and blogged extensively during the past year. It’s just that I do not have an excellent hands-on journalism experience. How can I make things work? I’d be glad if you help me out.

One thing that I have learned from my application process is that it’s unpredictable. I wish I could tell you how to make things work, but unfortunately I have no say on this. Sometimes its just a matter of luck; one that you can control through your application. Being an undergraduate, I am unaware of how GRE scores are weighed in selections for graduate schools, but I am pretty sure GRE scores is not all that matters. Just believe in yourself and let everything flow into your application, and sing “all is well”

It is so good to hear this from the international student in USA. Actually i feel the same that TOEFL is far more than a test to pass, but it is a preparation we need to do before going to America. I took my first TOEFL test days ago, and i think it was not good enough. I will try more. Thanks for the sharing.

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Resources

EducationUSA
A global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State

Fulbright
The U.S. government’s “flagship” program sponsoring international exchanges. The program offers grants for students, scholars and professionals. About 8,000 Fulbright grants are awarded each year

Study in the U.S. – USA.gov
USA.gov is the U.S. government’s official site for information and services. This page has a list of links to important information for international students coming to the U.S.

Visas – U.S. State Department
The official visa information source for the U.S. Includes a specific section on F, M and J visas, the visas used for study and exchange programs